MONTCLAIR, N.J. — John Wolyniec was happy with the win, but disappointed with the performance.
The Red Bull II head coach liked the fact his team Toronto FC II, 1-0, and snapped a three-game losing streak, in United Soccer League action at MSU Soccer Park Friday night.
But that wasn’t enough as New York (7-10-3, 24 points) climbed back into the final Eastern Conference playoff spot before the rest of this weekend’s action.
“Obviously, the positive is getting the win at home and getting the shutout,” Wolyniec said. “But what’s disappointing is that we put ourselves in neutral after we get the goal and don’t continue to push in the way we want to.
“A lack of aggression and intensity especially in the second half was a bit disappointing. I am very happy that we got the win but at the same time, I felt like we could have put a lot more into it.”
Vincent Bezecourt tallied the lone score of the match in the 27th minute off an assist by Junior Flemmings.
New York came out on the right foot during the match pressing TFC II and keeping the ball in the offensive half of the pitch leading to multiple opportunities going forward.
Red Bulls II nearly scored the 23rd minute of the match with Bezecourt sending a shot towards the upper ninety of the frame, but TFC II goalkeeper Mark Pais made a full-extension save to momentarily keep the match scoreless.
Four minutes later the hosts tallied as Flemmings executed the counterattack, laying off a ball for Bezecourt to run with, who then calmly slotted it past Pais.
Seven minutes later, Zeiko Lewis skied an attempt inside the box off a set piece that would’ve doubled the lead before the half.
Toronto made two changes at the half that helped their ability to go forward in the second half but keeper Rafael Diaz was not tested.
Stefano Bonomo saw his first USL action of the season, being inserted as a 72nd-minute substitution for Lewis. Bonomo has been recovering from athletic pubalgia surgery that has kept him out of game action since the 2016 USL Cup final.
Toronto pressed to find the equalizer in the final 15 minutes with Riccardo John’s half chance in stoppage time being their best opportunity but it did not connect.
New York heads back out on the road to take on Louisivlle City FC next Saturday.
Game summary:
New York: Bezecourt 27′
Toronto: None
Discipline:
New York: Tinari 54′
Toronto: Taintor 53′
New York: Diaz; Kutler, Schmoll, Scarlett, Powder; Najem (David Abidor, 75), Tinari (Kazu Shigenobu, 63); Lewis (Stefano Bonomo, 72), Bezecourt; Flemmings, Valot
Toronto: Pais; Aubrey (Brandon Onkony, 46), Taintor, Dunn, Fraser, James (Riccardo John, 67), McCrary, Telfer, Daniels, Camargo, Andrews (Shaan Hundal, 46)
